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Inner London and City Family Proceedings Court may move to Principal Registry

Over 250 leading family law practitioners have written to senior judges highlighting the importance of the Inner London and City Family Proceedings Court in Wells Street ahead of a possible move of its seven courts into the Principal Registry of the Family Division at High Holborn.

The HMCTS is understood to be invoking a break clause in the lease for the Wells Street building that allows them to give it up in 2014.

Under the direction of District Judge Nicholas Crichton CBE, the court has pioneered the Family Drug and Alcohol Court. Launched in January 2008, the court uses a new approach to parental substance misuse when care proceedings are underway. The court aims to help parents stabilise or stop substance misuse and, where possible, keep families together.

District Judge Nicholas Crichton received a CBE in this year's Queen's birthday honours list in recognition for his work and was also acknowledged by his peers when he won the Family Law Outstanding Contribution Award last year.

The letter sets out the courts achievements and calls for these to be maintained following any move to the Principal Registry.